Numbers of nest boxes, built and placed for the endangered white-flippered penguins nesting on Quail Island, were damaged or destroyed by rock falls during the 2011 earthquakes. As a result of a co-ordinated effort between business sponsors and volunteers, the Trust placed 25 new penguin nest boxes in strategic, secluded sites around the island in June 2013 in a bid to build up breeding pairs on the island again.

The boxes were built by volunteer Andrew Harris from timber donated by Horncastle Homes, and Lyttelton Port of Christchurch transported the boxes to the island.

In 2015 another 25 nesting boxes were constructed by the helpful staff at Bunnings Warehouse Shirley, and the boxes are due to be placed on the island over the next few months.

It is hoped that the predator-free environment the Trust staff and volunteers work to maintain will help build up nesting penguin numbers to pre-earthquake levels. Providing safe nesting sites is not only good for the white-flippered penguin population, but good for the general habitat and soil fertility too. Studies have found that their guano (and that of other ground nesting birds) encourages native plant regrowth.

Adopt a penguin nest box

The Trust has 22 penguin nest boxes for adoption at $500 each, available to individuals and businesses interested in supporting the penguin project and other conservation and ecological restoration on the island. Each box will be named after the sponsor (as well as being listed as a sponsor of the penguin project on our website) – and we will provide regular project updates.

To adopt a nest box,
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or call her on 03 357 9339.

White-flippered (korora or blue) penguin in a nesting box on Quail Island

A number of the penguin boxes on Quail Island were damaged in the 2011 earthquakes